Vaporizer



Dec. 21, 1948. -r. A. 51'. CLAIR 2,456,390

VAPORIZER Filed June 9, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR T A. $1. CLAIR ATTORNEYS Dec. 21, 1948. x 'r. A. ST. cLAlR 2,456,390

VAPQRIZER Filed June 9, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV ENT OR I. A. $13 CLAR M512 Cf ATTORNEY Patented Dee. 21, 1948 UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE 2.45s,aso VAPORIZEB Theodore A. St. Clair, Bar

tleaville, 0kia., assignmto Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation Deiawa Application June 9, 1945, Serial No. 598,610 12 Clflml. (CL 62-l) This invention relates to Vaporizers. In a more pecific aspect it relates to Vaporizers for liquefied inflammable gases. In another more systems for the storage.

mixtures thereof.

One object of my invention is to provide a simplified system for vaporizing such gases.

Another object is to vaporize such gases when speciiic' atmospheric heat is insufllcient by applying heat I in a safe manner.

Other objects are to reduce fire hazards and keep vapor lines free from liquid.

Another object is tovaporize and put pressure on such liquefied gases without heating thej'entire liquid content or the storage tank.

Other objects are to provide safe, cheap and economical systems for storing and vaporizing liquid petroleum gas.

.Numerous other objects be apparent to those skilled in the art upon readgas storage and vaporizing system embodying; my invention. V Figure 2 is aview similar to Figure 1 o! a midifled system embodying my invention. I

InFigure 1 a storage tank 3 is provided for liquefied gas 4 and vapors 5 of said gas- Vap rs 5 are led through line B and pressure regulating valve. 1 to line 8. Valve-1 keeps-the pressure in line 8 below a predetermined pressure. Lin

providedjadjacent tank 3 if desired.

A vaporizing tank In is provided having a vapor outlet ll connected to vapor line 3.

33 being conducted through pipe 33 to act against spring 3|.

Bulb 34 is similar to bulb 32 but is exposed to the atmosphere. Bulb 35 is similar to bulb 32 but is exposed to conditions in tank 3.

Pressure from tank 3 is transmitted through line H without involving invention.

A shut-oil valve 31 may be provided in line l2 preferably adjacent tank 3.

In Figure 2 a storage tank 33 is provided with force regulated by bolt 45.

Oitentimes the vapor pressure in tank insui'ilcient and this vapor pressure is increased by vaporizing tank 46 having a vapor exit line 41'.

The vaporizing tank 46 is supplied with liquid through liquid supply line 41 containing regulatfa'f-which is a substantial duplicate of 2,4se,seo

Valve 53 contains a diaphragm 55 and a spring 56 urging valve 51 open. It will be observed that valve N is similarly arranged. A pressure line 58 is provided running from tank as to valve 53. said line 58 may run between tank 38 and valve 53 without being connected to line l1 or may in the alternative run from valve 53 to a point on line 1 between latter arrangement thermal pressure iiuid supply bulb in heat exchange relation with tank transmits pressure through line 80 to valve upon being heated.

To prevent explosions, concentric gauze cylinders GI and 82 may be provided as flame will not travel through these gauze cylinders, the gauze being made out of metal.

shut-oil. valves 83 and 84 may lines I! and 41, respectively.

8 and 54 be provided in Operation The operation of Figure 1 depends on which switches 24, 25, 2B and 21 are closed and which are open.

when the vapor pressure in I is too low, the pressure in the lower portion of valve l3 becomes insumcient to resist the atmospheric pressure and the pressure of the spring inside of valve i3 and liquid flows through pipe I! into vaporizing tank l0. Assuming switches 2t, 25, 26 and 21 to all be open, electric current in line it will flow through switch it, because tank in is cold, and will flow through switch ii if the atmosphere is below a certain temperature. The electricity will necessarily flow through switch it because the pressure in tank 3 transmitted through lines l2 and 36 is insufllcient as set forth above in relation to valve l3. Electricity will then flow through switch iii if bulb 35 is below a predetermined temperature. The electricity will then flow through heating coil H and heat vaporizing tank iii, the electricity then returning through line to the source of electric power (not shown).

Now it bulb 32 is heated above a predetermined temperature, switch IE will open breaking the circuit and stopping the heating in coil ll.

If the atmospheric temperature rises above a predetermined temperature bulb 3| will open switch 11, preventing the heating of coil N.

If the pressure in tank 3 rises above a predetermined pressure, switch is will open stopping the heating of coil ll.

It the temperature in tank 3 rises above a predetermined temperature, bulb 35 will open switch l9, stopping the heating of coil l4.

By means of switches 24, 25, 26 and 21, each one o! switches i8, l1, l8 and I8, respectively, may be eliminated from the system by being shorted or by-passed. This provides a flexible system which will take into account the desired and selected factors and no other factors, but which may be changed to take in other factors by manipulating the proper switches in an obvious manner.

The operation of Figure 2 is similar to that of Figure 1 except that gas burner 48 is employed as a source or heat.

Upon failure or pressure in tank 38, valve 4! opens in a manner similar to valve II and liquid is vaporized in tank 48 because valve 53 has opened as spring 56 is stronger than the pressure in II. Should tank it become overheated, bulb II will operate valve ll to cut of! the gas running to burner 48 and thus prevent further heating or tank ll.

' supply conduit connected to said vapor It is believed obvious that I have disclosed illustrative embodiments of my invention capable oi'carrying out all the objects set forth above and that changes in shape, proportions and arrangement of parts and substitution of equivalent elements may be made without going outside the scope or my invention as defined by the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim? 1. A storage and vaporizing system for liquefied gases comprising in combination a storage tank for the liquefied gas, said storage tank having a vapor outlet and a liquid outlet, a vapor supply conduit connected to said vapor outlet. a pressure regulating valve in said vapor supply conduit for limiting the vapor pressure in that portion 0! said vapor supply conduit on the other side oi said regulating valve from said storage tank, a vaporizing tank, a liquid supply conduit connecting said liquid outlet and said vaporizing tank, a pressure regulating valve in said liquid supply conduit, said vaporizing tank having a vapor outlet, a connecting vapor conduit connecting the vapor outlet of said vaporizing tank with said vapor supply conduit at a point between said storage tank and said pressure regulating valve, means to heat said vaporizing tank comprising a main burner, a main burner supply conduit connecting said main burner and said vapor supply conduit at a point on the other side oi said pressure regulating valve from said storage tank, a pilot burner, a pilot burner supply conduit connecting said pilot burner and said main burner supply conduit, a first fluid pressure actuated shut-off valve in said conduit at a point between said pilot burner supply conduit and said main burner, a fluid pressure supply conduit connecting said liquid outlet of said storage tank and said first shut-oi! valve whereby a predetermined pressure in said storage tank closes said first shut-oi! valve, a second fluid pressure actuated valve in said main burner supply conduit at a point between said pilot burner supply conduit and said main burner, a thermal pressure fluid supply bulb disposed so as to be heated by said vaporizing tank, and a thermal pressure fluid conduit connecting said second shut-oi! valve and said supply bulb whereby a predetermined temperature in said vaporizing tank closes said second shut-0E valve.

2. A storage fled gases comprising in combination a storage tank for the liquefied gas, said storage tank having a vapor outlet and a liquid outlet, a vapor outlet, a vaporizing tank, a liquid supply conduit connecting said liquid outlet and said vaporizing tank, a pressure regulating valve in said liquid supply conduit, said vaporizing tank having a vapor outlet, a connecting vapor conduit connecting the vapor outlet of said vaporizing tank with said vapor supply conduit, means to heat said vaporizing tank comprising a main burner, a. main burner supply conduit connecting said main burner and said vapor supply conduit. a pilot burner, a pilot burner supply conduit connecting said pilot burner and said main burner supply conduit, a first fluid pressure actuated shut-off valve in said main burner supply conduit at a point between said pilot burner supply conduit and said main burner, a fluid pressure supply conduit connecting said liquid outlet oi said storage tank and said first shut-oi! valve whereby a predetermined pressure in said storage tank closes said first shut-01f valve, a second main burner supply and vaporizing system ior liqueiiuid pressure actuated salve in-saidmainburner tank to heat said tank when the switch means supply, co duit ata point-between said pilot isclosed.

bum?! ly onduit and said main burner. a v 6.,'A;storage and vaporizing system for liquethermal pressure fluid supply bu1b disposed so ned gas comprising in combination a storage second shut-oil valve andsaid supply bulb wheresaid storage and vaporizing tanks, a. vapor u by a predeterminedtemperature in said vaporply line extending from said storage tank, and

3.' A storage and vaporizing system for .liquel ing an electric power line, switch means in said vaporizing tank, a liquid supply conduit connectin said storage tank reaching a predetermined connecting vapor conduit connecting the vapor means is closed. outlet 0: said vaporizing tank 'with said vapor a Astorageand vaporizing system for liquefied supply conduit, means to heat said vaporizing gas comprising i burner supply conduit connecting said pilot 2;; extending from said storage tank, and means for burner, and a fluid pressure supply conduit conpredetermined temperature, means to operate and said shut-oil valve whereby a predetermined liquid in said storage tank reaching a predeterpressure in said storage tank closes said shut-oi! mined temperature, and an electric heater in valve. said power line in heat exchange relationship 4. A storage and vaporizing system for liqueso with said vaporizing tank to heat said tank when fled gases comprising in combination a stora a the switch means is closed.

a vaporizing tank, a liquid supply conduit conconduit and a vapor conduit connecting said vapor outlet of said vaporizing tank with said line, means to operate said switch means upon vapor supply conduit, means to heat said vaporthe temperature in said vaporizing tank reachiz ri ply conduit connecting said liquid outlet of said 8 tank to heat said tank when the switch storage tank and said shut-oil valve whereby; a means is clos predetermined pressure in said storage tank closes A storage and vaporizing system for liquesaid-shut-oif valve.

ageand vaporizing tanks, a vapor. supply line means for heating said vaporizing tank comprisextending from said storage tank and means for g an electric power line, switch means in said heating said vaporizing tank comprising an elecpower line, means to operate said switch means c power line, switch means in said power line, upon the pressure in said storage tank reaching temperature, in said vaporizing tank reaching a switch means upon the atmospheric temper ure temperature of the liquid in said storage tank closed.

10. A storage and vaporizing system for liqueoperate said switch means upon the atmospheric tied gas comprising in combination a storage temperature reaching a predetermined temperatank for said liquefied gas, a vaporizing tank, a ture, and an electric heater in said power line in liquid conduit and a vapor cond iling heat exchange relationship with said vaporizing said storage and vapo ,a vapor supply line extending from said storage tank, and means tor heating said vaporizing tank comprising an electric power line, switch means in said power line, means to operate said switch means upon the temperature 01 the liquid in said storage tank reaching a predetermined temperature, means to operate said switch means upon the atmospheric temperature reaching a predetermined temperature, and an electric heater in said power line in heat exchange relationship with said vaporizing tank to heat said tank when the switch means is closed.

11. A storage and vaporizing system for liquetied gases comprising in combination a storage tank, a vaporizer tank, a liquid conduit and a vapor conduit connecting said storage and va porizer tanks, a vapor supply line extending irom said storage tank, a pressure regulator valve in said supply line, means to heat said for said heat to pressure tank, shut-of! means for said heat means responsive to temperature in said vaporizer tank, and shut-oi! means for supply of liquid irom said storage tank to said vaporizer tank responsive to pressure in said liquid conduit.

12. A storage and vaporizing system for iiqusiled gases comprising in combination a storale tank, a vaporizer tank, a liquid conduit and a vapor conduit connecting said storage and va- 5 porizer tanks. a vapor supply line extending from said vaporizer ta a pressure regulator valve in said supply line, means to heat said vaporizer tank,

shut-ofi means 101' said heat means responsive to pressure in said storage in tank, shut-oil means for said heat means respon sive to temperature in said vaporizer tank. and shut-oft means for supply 0! liquid from said storage tank to said vaporizer tank responsive to pressure in said liquid conduit.

THEODORE A. ST. CLAIR.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES YATENTB Number Name Date Hoagland Mar. 11, 1941 James Feb. 8, i944 Meisheimer Apr. 4. i944 

